Keeping Kids Safe

Preface to Keeping Kids Safe/Personal Safety Curriculum
The law requiring that children be taught a personal safety/child abuse prevention curriculum every year has been in place in Tennessee since 1985 in recognition of the fact that, for children younger than school age, the most critical safety net for preventing and stopping child abuse lies with child care providers. While the Department of Human Services (DHS) rules require that a personal safety curriculum be presented each year, it does not require the use of the Keeping Kids Safe curriculum. Instead, the rules state that an alternative curriculum may be used as long as it is approved by DHS. \Keeping Kids Safe, developed by Prevent Child Abuse Tennessee, is an updated version of the Growing Up Safe and Strong curriculum that has been in use since 1991 and was developed by DHS in conjunction with the Tennessee Child Sexual Abuse Task Force. Keeping Kids Safe does not require that providers teach children the correct anatomical names for their body parts. Instead, it uses the general term “private body parts”, and provides the correct anatomical names in parentheses in case the provider, in conjunction with parental input, wishes to use them. The curriculum repeatedly emphasizes that the decision of whether or not to use correct body part names must be a joint decision between parents and the provider. In addition, the curriculum requires that the provider meet with the parents prior to the curriculum being taught. In fact, it contains 2 chapters, “Partnering with Parents” and “Parent Meeting Guide”, which are specifically devoted to these subjects. The curriculum also contains sample informational letters and resource activities to send to parents.

Every known national child protection expert has found that child protection is improved when children can correctly identify all parts of their body - thus the curriculum recommends that the correct names be used - but it does not require it and instead provides both parents and providers with the information they need to make their own informed choice about what is best for their children.

We invite you to read this curriculum for yourself. It is an important resource for improving the protection of children.


Introduction and Overview
The Problem of Child Abuse The impact of child abuse and neglect is far greater than its immediate visible effects. These experiences can shape child development and have consequences that last years, even lifetimes. Research now shows that the physical, psychological, and behavioral consequences of child abuse and neglect impact not just the child and family, but the community as a whole.

Child abuse and neglect can be devastating for children and their families. Numerous research studies have consistently documented a range of negative health, emotional and psychological outcomes for children who have experienced child maltreatment. The immediate physical effects of abuse can range from relatively minor, such as a bruise or cut, to severe, such as broken bones, internal bleeding or even death. The immediate psychological effects of abuse and neglect – isolation, fear, and lack of trust- can spiral into long term mental health consequences including depression and anxiety, low self-esteem, difficulty establishing and maintaining relationships, eating disorders and suicide attempts. Studies have found abused or neglected children to be at least 25 percent more likely to experience problems in adolescence, including delinquency, teen pregnancy, drug use and low academic achievement. As adults, children who experienced abuse or neglect have an increased likelihood of criminal behavior, involvement in violent crime, abuse of alcohol and other drugs and abusive behavior.


Contents:
Keeping Kids Safe
Cover
Contents
Section 1: Introduction and Overview
Introduction and Overview
Section 2: Protecting Children
Parent Responsibilities
Help Your Children Feel Loved and Secure
Make Sure Your Children are Well Cared For
Make Communicating with Your Child a Priority
Provider Responsibilities
Community Responsibility
Section 3: Personal Safety Curriculum
What Is a Personal Safety Curriculum?
Effective Use of the Curriculum
Guidelines for Child Safety Programs
Philosophy:
Scope of the Problem:
Goals of Personal Safety Programs:
Content of Effective Programs:
Preparation:
Format:
Essential Elements of Programs:
Section 4: Child Abuse and Neglect
Definitions and Indicators
Risk Factors
Protective Factors
Reporting Abuse and Neglect
Tennessee Statutes Regarding Reporting Child Abuse and Neglect
Section 5: Keeping Kids Safe Curriculum
Contents
Teaching the Curriculum
What the Curriculum Contains
Who Is to Receive this Curriculum
When to Present the Curriculum
Using Hand Puppets As a Group Motivator/Storyteller
What If They Don’t Listen
Use of Terminology for Genitals
If a Child Discloses in the Group
If Children Were Taught the Curriculum Last Year
Questions and Answers
Unit 1: Self Esteem
Session 1: I Am Unique
Session 2: I Am Special
Session 3: I Am Important
Session 4: I Am Fantastic
Session 5: I Am Loved
Unit 2: Family and Friends
Session 1: All Kinds of Families
Session 2: Families Love and Care For Each Other
Session 3: Friends are Special
Session 4: Friends Care About Each Other
Session 5: Trusting Family and Friends
Unit 3: Feelings
Session 1: Sad/Glad/Happy/Mad
Session 2: Surprised and Excited
Session 3: Scared
Session 4: Growing Up
Session 5: Stand Up for Myself
Feelings Review - Additional Activities
Unit 4: Problem Solving
Session 1: Listening
Session 2: Cooperation
Session 3: Choices
Session 4: Choices
Session 5: Asking for Help
Unit 5: Personal Safety (general)
Session 1: My Body Belongs To Me
Session 2: Every Part Has a Name
Session 3: Taking Care of Me
Session 4: Private Body Parts
Unit 5: Personal Safety (Age 4 and older)
Session 1: Diapers
Session 2: Visit to the Doctor
Session 3: Momma’s Friend
Session 3: Momma’s Friend (adapted version)
Session 4: A Secret
Session 4: A Secret (adaptation)
Session 4: Uncle Mark
Unit 6: Safety Around Me
Session 1: Street Safety
Session 2: Riding Toy Safety
Session 3: Fire Safety
Session 4: Water Safety
Session 5: Car Safety
Session 6: Strangers
Questions and Answers
Meeting Our New Friends
José’s Birthday
José Helps
I Am Fantastic
Princess Farina and the Magic Glasses
I Am Loved
Questions and Answers
Frequently Asked Questions
Section 6: Partnering with Parents
Letters to Parents with Attachments: Activities You Can Do At Home
Section 7: Parent Meeting Guide
Parent Power
Session 1—Communicating with Our Young Kids
Session 2
Child Abuse Warning Signals (Yellow Lights: Slow Down!)
Parent Group Icebreakers
References
Character Sketches
Section 8: Resources
References
Character Sketches
The University of Tennessee College of Social Work Office